Positions of Labor Cheyenne County Hospital Childbirth Education Class Candi Douthit, BSN, RN

Repositioning in Labor can Make all of the difference! ► Changing positions every 30 minutes is helpful in facilitating the baby’s movements throughout the birth canal ► We encourage you to use any of these you like…your body will tell you which ones are best ► The worst position is flat on your back.  If you are laying in bed, we would like you to have a pillow beneath either hip at all times to keep flowing well to you and to baby.

Side-lying ► Try placing pillows between your knees for comfort.

Sway on the Ball ► Best to add movement with use ► Helps open the pelvic inlet ► Decreases back labor

Positions on the Ball

Slow Dancing

Squatting/Supported Squat ► Opens the pelvis, gravity enhancing, sense of control for mom. During squatting, the average pelvic outlet is 28% greater than in the supine position. Stand, or sit back to relax in between contractions

Dance with Belly Lift

Straddle a chair (or the toilet), and rest your arms and head on the back.

Raise the head of a hospital bed, then kneel on the bed with arms resting on top of the bed.

Hands and Knees ► Arch your back occasionally for increased comfort. Great for back labor, big babies, posterior babies. Many find it most comfortable.

Semi-Sitting ► With pillow underneath knees, arms, and back. During contractions, can wrap hands around knees and pull knees up toward shoulders (as in squatting).

► Positions to ease labor pain | BabyCenter Positions to ease labor pain | BabyCenter Positions to ease labor pain | BabyCenter